Aerobic Hose Wrap Composting Apparatus And Method For Decomposing Waste Material

ABSTRACT

Decomposing waste material may use a no-turn, aerobic composting apparatus that includes an enclosure for containing waste material and a fluid distribution system including a fluid injection member removably disposable in waste material disposed in the enclosure. The fluid injection member includes a plurality of spaced apertures for injecting fluid into the waste material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/221,300, filed Sep. 21, 2015, which is incorporated byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to decomposing waste material into compost.

BACKGROUND

The process of decomposition is a gradual complex process that changesorganic waste material into compost. This process can be used forsanitary recycling and reclamation of organic waste material. Aerobiccomposting is a process of decomposition and stabilization that usesoxygen. In aerobic decomposition, living organisms that use oxygen feedupon the organic waste material and decompose waste material moreefficiently. The decomposition process slows as the living organismsdeplete the oxygen. Thus, periodically or continuously aerating acompost pile of waste material will increase the speed of thedecomposition process.

SUMMARY

Aerating a compost pile of waste material may be performed usingdifferent techniques. Compost to automatically or manually turn compostto increase the oxygen present is generally expensive or requires manuallabor to operate. Forcing air into or through the compost pile usingfans decreases the temperature of the compost pile in an attempt toreach an optimal temperature range of the living organisms that breakdown the waste material. If the temperature of the compost pile does notreach that optimal temperature range, rotting can occur. Still anothertechnique is to aerate a compost pile by poking holes into it andputting perforated pipes into the holes. If too much oxygen is present,the compost pile can dry out and impede the decomposition process.

Disclosed herein are implementations of a composting apparatus andmethod for decomposing waste material using an aerobic hose wrap. Thecomposting described herein does not require turning and is relativelyinexpensive.

One implementation of an aerobic composting apparatus for compostingwaste material includes an enclosure for containing waste material and afluid distribution system including a fluid injection member removablydisposable in waste material disposed in the enclosure. The fluidinjection member includes a plurality of spaced apertures for injectingfluid into the waste material.

In some implementations of the apparatus, the waste material is arrangedin a vertical and horizontal extending mass, and the spaced apertures ofthe fluid injection member inject pressurized fluid from a source ofpressurized fluid into the waste material. The fluid injection member isdisposed within the mass of waste material in a plurality of spiralloops, adjacent portions of the spiral loops being laterally spacedapart.

A method of composting waste material described herein includespositioning waste material in an enclosure formed of longitudinallyextending spaced walls and introducing a fluid injection member betweenends of the spaced walls of the enclosure within the waste material. Inthis way, the fluid injection member is disposed of top of a first layerof waste material and covered by a second layer of waste material in theenclosure.

In some implementations of the method, the waste material is depositedin a vertical and horizontally extending mass. A fluid distributionsystem that includes the fluid injection member is introduced into themass of waste material such that the fluid injection member is disposedabove a first layer of waste material within the mass of waste materialand is covered by a second layer of waste material in the mass of wastematerial. The fluid injection member may also be disposed in a pluralityof longitudinally extending spiral loops within the mass of wastematerial, wherein the facing adjacent portions of the plurality ofspiral loop are laterally spaced from each other.

The fluid injection member may be arranged substantially within ahorizontal plane in a serpentine pattern.

These and other aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in thefollowing detailed description of the embodiments, the appended claimsand the accompanying figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure is best understood from the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.Unless otherwise noted, the various features of the drawings are notto-scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first implementation of an apparatusfor decomposing waste material.

FIG. 2 is a partial, schematic top view of the first implementation ofFIG. 1 including a compressor.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a modification of the first implementation ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial, schematic top view of the modification of FIG. 3including a compressor.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the firstimplementation of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial, schematic top view of a second implementation of anapparatus for decomposing waste material.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a modification of the secondimplementation of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a modification of the firstimplementation of FIG. 1 with a powered compressor that can also be usedwith the second implementation of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of an open-field configuration of a windrow processusable with an implementation of an apparatus for decomposing wastematerial described in this disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an open-field configuration of a static pileusable with implementation of an apparatus for decomposing wastematerial described in this disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third implementation of an apparatusfor decomposing waste material.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an enclosure rack of the thirdimplementation of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the enclosure rack of FIG. 12,including hoses.

FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of the top of the enclosure rackof FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the interior of movable storage container ofthe third implementation of FIG. 11.

FIG. 16 is a partial top view of the interior of a storage container offourth implementation of an apparatus for decomposing waste material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-16 of the drawing, there are illustrated variousaspects of an apparatus and method for decomposing waste material. Thewaste material can be, for example, organic waste material, such asfood, paper, cardboard, wastewater sludge, yard waste, manure, woodchips, etc.

The waste material can be, in some cases, shredded or ground to a smallparticulate size, such as an average ¼ inch particle size. Thisparticulate size allows the temperature of the volume of waste materialto quickly reach a trigger point for the start of microorganism activityand increases the rate of micro-organism activity. In the case ofsemi-liquid waste material, such as waste water sludge, a bulking agent,such as saw dust or wood chips, can be added to the waste material.

An aerobic composting apparatus 20 includes an enclosure 22 that is opento the ambient environment. The enclosure 22, for example, includesfirst and second generally parallel vertical walls 24 and 26. Theparallel vertical walls 24 and 26 are made from any suitable material,such as cinderblocks, bricks, metal sheets, etc. Further, the parallelvertical walls 24 and 26 may have any height and any length. In oneexample, the parallel vertical walls 24 and 26 have a height of aboutfive feet and length of about fifty feet; although it will be understoodthat other heights either greater or less than five feet and lengthsgreater or less than fifty feet may also be employed.

The parallel vertical walls 24 and 26 are firmly secured on a hardsurface 28. The surface 28 may be concrete, although hard packed soil,metal, asphalt or other fluid impervious surfaces may also be used. Thesurface 28 may optionally be lined with a fluid impervious barrier, suchas high-density polyethylene sheeting.

An alternate fluid barrier may also be employed to absorb any liquids orfluids that may leach out of the waste material. For example, a barrierformed of six inches of small particle size sawdust may be disposed ontop of the surface 28. An optional second layer of slightly largerparticle size, but still small-size, woodchips can then be disposed ontop of the first layer to complete the barrier. Each layer of thebarrier may be approximately six inches in height.

The spaced, generally parallel vertical walls 24 and 26 and the surface28 form a trough or bay 30 that receives, e.g., particulate, wastematerial 32, which can be dumped or otherwise disposed in the bay 30approaching or slightly exceeding the upper edge of the parallelvertical walls 24 and 26. A conveyor, either over head of the enclosure22 or on the surface 28 of the enclosure 22, may be employed fordepositing and removing the waste material 32 into and out of theenclosure 22.

The aerobic composting apparatus 20 includes a fluid injection system,such as an oxygen delivery system, which includes a compressor 40 (seeFIG. 2). The compressor 40 can be exteriorly mounted adjacent one of theparallel vertical walls 24 or 26. The compressor 40 may be a three phaseelectric powered compressor or a compressor driven by gas, such aspropane gas. Appropriate controls including a programmable timer,pressure gauge, etc., may be employed with the compressor 40 toestablish a maximum pressure in one or more fluid reservoirs, such asair tanks 42, 44, 46, and 48. The controls may concurrently oralternatively use the timer to control the on/off operation of thecompressor 40.

The compressor 40 supplies pressurized fluid to the fluid reservoirs orair tanks 42, 44, 46, and 48 through a tee or manifold 41. The numberand size of the air tanks 42, 44, 46, and 48 may vary depending upon theamount fluid used in the aerobic composting apparatus 20, the quantityof waste material, and the length of time needed to aerobicallydecompose a given quantity of waste materials as well as economicfactors in selecting the number, size, and interconnections of the airtanks 42, 44, 46, and 48.

The outlets of the air tanks 42, 44, 46, and 48 are coupled together andconnected or teed to one connector 52 of a two-part connector 50. Theother connector part 54 of the two-part connector 50 is attached to oneend of flexible fluid carrying conduit, hereafter referred to as a fluiddistribution member or a first hose 60, removable mountable in the bay30 within the waste material 32 as described hereafter. Any type oftwo-part connector 50 may be employed, such as a threaded connector, aquick disconnect connector, etc.

The first hose 60, which may be for example a rubber or polymeric hose,has a plurality of spaced, small diameter apertures 61, such as3/64-inch diameter or smaller apertures, along the length of itsexterior surface. Such apertures 61 may be provided at any spacing, suchas one aperture 61 per one to two feet along the length of the firsthose 60. Although only the first hose 60 is shown, the aerobiccomposting apparatus 20 may include more than one first hose.

The first hose 60 can be constructed of a pliable material that expandsand retracts when pressurized or depressurized with fluid. Whendepressurized, the first hose 60 contracts such that the apertures 61close to prevent plugging with waste material. When the first hose 60 ispressurized, the apertures 61 in the first hose 60 expand--opening theapertures 61 to the throughbore extending through the first hose 60.

The first hose 60 may be provided in a single continuous length.However, for any installation, such as installations approaching orexceeding fifty feet in length of the parallel vertical walls 24 and 26,the first hose 60 may be provided in at least two or more segments, withthree hose segments 60A, 60B, and 60C shown by example in FIG. 2.

Further, for substantially equal air flow through the apertures 61 inthe first hose 60 due the pressure differential between an inlet end atthe two-part connector 50 and the opposite end 62 of the first hose 60,which closed off by a plug 64, the hose segments 60A, 60B, and 60C maybe provided in decreasing diameter from the inlet. For example, the mainfluid or air inlet supply line 63 from the air tanks 42, 44, 46, and 48may have a one-inch diameter. A first hose segment 60A may have aone-half inch diameter, the second hose segment 60B may have aquarter-inch diameter, and the third or last hose segment 60C may have athree-sixteenths diameter. This decreasing diameter over the length ofthe first hose 60 insures substantially equal pressure along the lengthof the first hose 60 without a significant pressure drop, therebyproviding substantially even air flow from the first hose 60 along thelength of the first hose 60. Alternatively, the plug 64 may be omitted,with the opposite end 62 connected to another air inlet with aconnection similar to that present at the two-part connector 50. In thisway, the diameter between the two air inlets may not decrease, whilesubstantially equal pressure is maintained. Other implementations of theapparatus for decomposing waste material may be so modified from (i.e.,to feed air from two inlets).

The first hose 60, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is disposed or laid on top ofa first layer 70 of waste material 32 disposed between the parallelvertical walls 24 and 26 on top of the surface 28. The height of thefirst layer 70 of waste material 32 may be from six inches to one footwhen the parallel vertical walls 24 and 26 have a five-foot height. Thefirst hose 60 is then laid in a wrap pattern from one end to theopposite end of the parallel vertical walls 24 and 26 on top the firstlayer 70 of waste material 32. As shown in FIG. 2, the first hose 60 isdisposed in a spiral wrap forming a plurality of adjacent horizontallyspaced loops lying in substantially the same plane. Fluid connectors 56and 58, which may be quick connectors, for example, are interposed andfluidically couple the hose segments 60A, 60B, and 60C along the lengthof the first hose 60. The spiral wrap arrangement of the first hose 60in the bay 30 provides a substantially even flow of air through the massof waste material 32 in the bay 30. The air discharged from the firsthose 60 may be injected downward, sideward and upward within the bay 30,thereby ensuring contact of the air with the waste material 32 in thebay 30.

After the first hose 60 has been laid in the spiral wrap pattern, asecond layer 72 of waste material 32 is deposited in the bay 30 on topof the first hose 60 between the ends of the parallel vertical walls 24and 26. This completes the arrangement of the composting components forthe bay 30 where the parallel vertical walls 24 and 26 have anapproximate five-foot height.

In operation, the compressor 40 may be turned on for approximately fiveto eight minutes to pressurize in the air tanks 42, 44, 46, and 48. Thecompressor 40 turns off at a preset pressure, such as 115 psi. The airtanks 42, 44, 46, and 48 remain open to allow air flow from the airtanks 42, 44, 46, and 48 through the air inlet supply line 63 to thefirst hose 60. The air flowing through the first hose 60 is dischargedthrough the apertures 61 and flows through the waste material 32 in thebay 30.

When the air pressure within the air tanks 42, 44, 46, and 48 dropsbelow a predetermined minimum pressure, such as 25 psi, for example, thecompressor 40 is turned back on to re-pressurize the air tanks 42, 44,46, and 48.

This on and off operation of the compressor 40 minimizes electricalpower usage while still enabling air to be supplied in a substantiallyconstant manner to the waste material 32 in the bay 30 over a nine totwelve-day period to allow the microorganisms within the waste material32 to convert the waste material 32 into uncured compost.

When the composting period is complete, the air supply from the airtanks 42, 44, 46, and 48 is turned off and the two-part connector 50separated to separate the first hose 60 from the air inlet supply line63. The first hose 60 can then be pulled from one end, horizontally orvertically upward over the parallel vertical walls 24 and 26 through thewaste material 32, until the end-most fluid connector 56 or 58 isexposed. The endmost hose segment 60A or 60C of the first hose 60 isthen disconnected. Alternately, the first hose 60 can be continued to bewithdrawn from the waste material 32 until the next fluid connector 56or 58 is exposed. The fluid connectors 56 and 58 may then bedisconnected. At any time, while or before one or more of the hosesegments 60A, 60B, and 60C are removed from the volume of waste material32 in the bay 30, a portion of the waste material 32 starting from oneend of the bay 30 may be removed from the bay 30, by any means, such asfront end loader, manually by shovels, etc.

Air has difficulty migrating vertically though waste material 32.Accordingly, for composting installations with a higher height for theparallel vertical walls 24 and 26 (e.g., higher than 5 feet) or wherethe deposit of a height of waste material 32 is above the top surfacesof the parallel vertical walls 24 and 26, such as shown in FIG. 3, asecond fluid distribution member, hereafter referred to as a second hose80, is interposed in the enclosure 22 on top of the second layer 72 ofwaste material 32, which may have a two-foot depth, for example, andbelow a third layer 74 of waste material 32. The second hose 80 may beidentical to or different from the first hose 60. In the example shownin FIGS. 3 and 4, the second hose 80 has one end connected to thetwo-part connector 50, which in this example has a tee connection to theconnector part 54 of the first hose 60 and a second connector to thesecond hose 80. The second hose 80 may also be provided in decreasingdiameter segments 80A, 80B, and 80C that are coupled by connectors 84and 86 in the same manner as the first hose 60.

The second hose 80 can also be wound in a spiral wrap configuration ontop of the second layer 72 of waste material 32. The second hose 80 maybe wrapped in an opposite directed spiral wrap configuration from thefirst hose 60; although it is not necessary that the spiral loops of thefirst hose 60 and the second hose 80 be vertically offset or aligned.The opposite end of the second hose 80 is closed by a plug 87.

Air can be supplied to the first hose 60 and the second hose 80generally at the same time from the air tanks 42, 44, 46, and 48.

Removal of the composted waste material from the enclosure 22 and theremoval of the first and second hoses 60 and 80 are performed in thesame manner as described above for the first hose 60 shown in FIG. 1.

As described above, the enclosure 22 is open to the ambient environment.As shown in FIG. 5, an optional cover 90 may be provided over the topedges of the parallel vertical walls 24 and 26 to minimize the depositof moisture from rain, snow, and the environment into the waste material32 in the bay 30. The cover 90 may take any suitable form and beconstructed of any suitable environmentally resistant materials, such asmetal, plastic, fabric, or any combinations thereof.

By example, the cover 90 is illustrated as having a top slightly archedsheet 92 with side curtains 94 and 96 extending therefrom. The sidecurtains 94 and 96 are spaced from the parallel vertical walls 24 and 26by vertically-extending supports 98. The top slightly arched sheet 92 isspaced above the top edges of the parallel vertical walls 24 and 26. Thearch to support the top slightly arched sheet 92 may be formedintegrally with at least some of the vertically-extending supports 98,or may comprise separate structures secured to the vertically-extendingsupports 98. The vertically-extending supports 98 may be of any suitablematerial, such as metal, plastic, or wood, and may be supported by thehard surface 28, such as being driven into the hard surface 28 orremovably affixed to the hard surface 28.

The side curtains 94 and 96 can have a length so as to extend to groundlevel. The side curtains 94 and 96 can be rolled up as shown byreference numbers 95 and 97, respectively, for increased airflow orlowered to the ground level to reduce the ingress of moisture from rain,snow, fog, etc., into the enclosure 22. An end curtain may also have alength to reach ground level and be capable of being rolled up into aroll 93 and secured by straps in the rolled up position to allow airflow or to reduce the ingress or moisture into the waste material 32 inthe enclosure 22.

Alternatively, a flexible tarp may be used as a cover and manuallyapplied over the top of the parallel vertical walls 24 and 26 of theenclosure 22. The enclosure 22 may also be mounted in a closed structurewhere the top, sides, and ends of the enclosure 22 are sealed off fromthe ambient atmosphere. Such an enclosure may also be sealed from entryof ambient air.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, there is depicted another implementationof a composting apparatus 100. In this implementation, the compostingapparatus 100 includes a plurality of spaced bays, with three bays 102,104, and 106 shown by way of example. The bays 102 and 104 may beconstructed similarly to the bay 30 described above and shown in FIGS.1-5.

For example, the bay 102 is formed with a pair of generally parallel,longitudinally extending walls 110 and 112. The walls 110 and 112 may beany length, such as the fifty-foot length described above as an examplefor the bay 30 or a longer length, such as an approximate 100-footlength, as shown by example in FIG. 6.

The bay 104 is similarly formed of first and second longitudinallyextending generally parallel walls 114 and 116. The bay 104 may have thesame or a different length from the bay 102, although the bay 104 isillustrated by example in FIG. 6 as having the same construction andlength as the bay 102.

At least one fluid injection member, such as a first hose 118, isdisposed in the above-described spiral wrap over a lower, first layer ofwaste material 32. A first fluid injection member or first hose 120 issimilarly disposed in a spiral wrap pattern over a lower, first layer ofwaste material 32 in the bay 104. Each of the first hose 118 and thefirst hose 120 extends from an inlet end disposed intermediate the endof the bay 102 or the bay 104, respectively, to an end capped by arespective plug 130 and 136.

The inlet ends of the first hose 118 and the first hose 120 are coupledto connectors 144 and 154, respectively. The connectors 144 and 154 arecoupled to a source of compressed air, such as separate compressors 140and 150 located in the bay 106. It will be understood that a single,large-capacity compressor may be used to supply air to both of the firsthose 118 in the bay 102 and the first hose 120 in the bay 104. In thecase of separate compressors 140 and 150, the compressors 140 and 150may be interconnected by a fluid conduit having a shut off valve 141interposed therein. The shut off valve 141 allows the compressors 140and 150 to operate independently to supply air to the respective airtanks 142 and 152. At the same time, in the event of a breakdown of oneof the compressors 140 and 150, the shut off valve 141 allows theremaining operative compressor 140 or 150 to supply pressurized air toboth of the air tanks 142 and 152.

Each compressor 140 and 150 is coupled to a separate air reservoir, suchas the air tanks 142 and 152, respectively, located in the bay 106. Forsimplicity, a single air tank 142 or 152 is illustrated by example asbeing coupled to each compressor 140 and 150. A plurality of separateair tanks, such as the air tanks 42, 44, 46, and 48 coupled to thecompressor 40 in FIG. 2 may also be employed in the composting apparatus100.

The installation of the first hose 118 and the first hose 120, thedeposit of waste material 32 into the bay 102 and the bay 104, and thesupply of air from the air tank 142 and the air tank 152 to the firsthose 118 and the first hose 120 for composting the waste material 32 maybe the same as that described above for the composting apparatus 20.

As further shown in FIG. 6, an additional hose is disposed in each ofthe bays 102 and 104. Namely, a second hose 122 is disposed in the bay102, and a second hose 124 is disposed in the bay 104. The second hose122 and the second hose 124 are separate from the first hose 118 and thefirst hose 120 and can be operated simultaneously with or independentlyof the first hose 118 and the first hose 120.

The second hose 122 has an inlet end located at an intermediate portionof the bay 102 adjacent to the inlet end of the first hose 118 in thebay 102, and is coupled by the connector 144 to the compressor 140. Anoutlet end is sealed by a plug 164. Similarly, the second hose 124 hasan inlet end coupled by the connector 154 to the compressor 150 at anintermediate portion of the bay 104. An outlet end of the second hose124 is sealed by a plug 170.

Each of pair of hoses formed by the first hose 118 and the second hose122 and by the first hose 120 and the second hose 124 may be formed ofhose segments coupled together by connectors, such as connectors 126 and128 for the first hose 118 in the bay 102, connectors 132 and 134 forthe first hose 120 in the bay 104, connectors 160 and 162 for the secondhose 122 in the bay 102, and connectors 166 and 168 for the second hose124 in the bay 104.

Each pair of hoses may have the sequential reduction in diameter fromthe respective inlet end similar to that discussed with regard to thefirst hose 60 and the second hose 80 so as to maintain a constant airpressure and air discharge quantity along the length of each of thefirst hose 118, the first hose 120, the second hose 122, and the secondhose 124.

The tee or manifold connection between the outlet of the air tanks 142and 152 to the respective pairs of hoses may be provided exteriorly ofthe parallel walls 112 and 114 of the bays 102 and 104, respectively,such as by attaching a flexible or rigid air conduit between an outletof the air tank 142 or 152 vertically along the exterior of the parallelwall 112 or 114 to the top edge of the parallel wall 112 or 114. Each ofthe two tee or manifold connections may be located on the top edge of arespective parallel wall 112 and 114.

Alternately, as shown in FIG. 6, the outlets of the air tanks 142 and152 may extend underground to a respective air conduit 143 or 153extending through the hollow interior of a parallel wall 112 or 114,such as through an opening in the interior of cinder blocks used to formthe parallel walls 112 and 114. In this installation example, the tee ormanifold connectors 144 and 154 are mounted adjacent to or on the topedge of the parallel walls 112 and 114 for easy connection to the pairof hoses in the bays 102 and 104. An overhead air hose may extend from a1 inch line hanging from the ceiling downward to a quick-connect, andone or more feeder hoses may extend through or along the walls 112, 114.

As shown in FIG. 7, the composting apparatus 100 may also be providedwith the cover 90, although formed of a larger size than the cover 90for the bay 30 shown in FIG. 5, which is a single bay or a shorterlength. The same reference numbers are used to depict the samecomponents in each of the covers 90. The cover 90 for the compostingapparatus 100 provides protection to reduce the amount of rain, snow,and other moisture from entering the waste material 32 in the bays 102and 104, while allowing the ends of the bays 102 and 104 to remain openfor air circulation.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is depicted a modification to the compostingapparatus in which the electric-power or gas-powered compressors aresupplemented by a wind compressor energy system 200, such a windcompressor energy system sold by Wind Compressor, LLC.

The wind compressor energy system 200 includes a tower or pole 202mounted in the ground and supporting a fluid conduit or air line 204. Athree-blade, eleven-foot rotor 206 is moveably attached to the upper endof the pole 202 along with a single stage compressor 208. A directionalcontrol fin 210 is coupled to the base to maintain the blades of therotor 206 facing the direction of the wind.

The wind compressor energy system 200 includes an air pressure switchresponsive to a pressure gauge 45 that furls the blades of the rotor 206when a desired air pressure is reached in an air tank 42 to preventover-pressure conditions. Pressure relief valves, mounted on the base,can be preset for 160 or 170 psi in some aspects. Although not shown indetail, a shock absorber can be mounted on the base to prevent overspeed conditions and high winds by allowing the blades of the rotor 206to furl.

In operation, when the wind is blowing, the blades of the rotor 206provide energy to the single stage compressor 208, which providespressurized air through the air line 204 to the fluid reservoir or airtank 42, etc.

The use of the wind compressor energy system 200 allows for operation ofthe composting apparatus 20 or 100 at significantly reduced energy usagelevels over operation by compressor 40 or compressors 140, 150 withoutthe use of the wind compressor energy system 200.

A spiral wrap fluid injection member, such as the first hose 60 suppliedwith pressurized air from an air tank 42 connected to a compressor 40,may also be used in open field composting operations, such as an openfield windrow process 250 shown in FIG. 9. In a windrow process 250,waste material 252 is deposited in a pile that may extend to a height ofapproximately 5 feet over a width of about 12-15 feet and any length,such as about 100 feet in an example. The first hose 60 is introduced ina spiral wrap into the windrow pile of waste material 252 at theabove-described six inch to one-foot height above ground level to supplypressurized air on a substantially continuous basis to the wastematerial 252. A second spiral wrap hose 80 (not shown in FIG. 9), mayalso be used in the pile of waste material 252 as described above.

As also shown in FIG. 9, due to the open field configuration of thewindrow process 250, the compressor 40 and air tank 42 can be mountedwithin an enclosure 254.

The spiral wrap configuration of the first hose 60 may also be appliedto a static pile 260 for composting waste material 262 as shown in FIG.10. The static pile 260 is a domed-shaped accumulation of compostingwaste material 262 in which the first hose 60 is introduced in a spiralwrap at the appropriate height above ground level, and is connected to asuitable air tank 42 and compressor 40 (not shown in FIG. 10). A secondhose 80 may also be introduced in the static pile 260.

FIGS. 11-15 depict another composting apparatus that, like thecomposting apparatus 20, uses the open air enclosure 22 formed of thetwo spaced, generally parallel vertical walls 24 and 26. In thisimplementation, at least one or a plurality of movable storagecontainers 300 are movably deployed within the enclosure 22. Eachstorage container 300 has a size and shape to contain a volume of wastematerial 32 in addition to a fluid distribution system coupled to one ormore compressors and air tanks, as described in previous implementationsof the composting apparatus, and to a fluid injection system deployed ineach storage container 300. The storage containers 300 are constructedin polygonal square or rectangular shapes, by example, with a pluralityof inner interconnected side walls 302, a bottom wall 304, and an opentop end 306 (see FIG. 15). Wheels 308 may be mounted to the bottom wall304 to facilitate movement of the storage container 300 through theenclosure 22.

A fluid injection system, also referred to as a rack 320, is sized tofit within the interior of each storage container 300. As shown in FIGS.12, 13, and 15, each rack 320 is formed of a plurality ofvertically-spaced tubular members 322, which are connected at oppositeends to upper and lower frame assemblies 324 and 326, also formed ofinterconnected tubular and/or strip members.

The vertically-spaced tubular members 322 include a plurality ofhorizontally-spaced apertures 328, the purpose of which will bedescribed hereafter.

Each rack 320 is divided, by example, into lower and upper portions,each portion including a plurality of horizontally-arranged sections.The lower portion includes four lower sections 330, 331, 332, and 334,for example. The upper portion includes a similar number of uppersections 335, 336, 337, and 338. Each upper section 335, 336, 337, and338 is disposed above a respective lower section 330, 331, 332, and 333.

Each lower and upper section includes a flexible air fluid injectionmember. For example, hoses 340 are in each lower section, with fourhoses 340 being shown by way of example in the four lower sections. Foursimilar flexible air fluid injection members, namely hoses 342, aredisposed in the upper sections 335, 336, 337, and 338 respectively.Referring to FIG. 14, each of the hoses 340 in the lower sections iscoupled to a first manifold 350 (see also FIGS. 11 and 15) that ismounted on the upper frame assembly 324 of the rack 320 via individualhose connections 352. A fluid inlet conduit, referred to hereinafter asa fluid inlet hose 354, is coupled to the first manifold 350.

The fluid inlet hose 354 may be flexible and mounted in a particularlocation along the length of the enclosure 22 in proximity with aposition that a storage container 300 may be located in the enclosure 22during a composting cycle. With eight storage containers 300 being ableto be disposed within a fifty-foot long enclosure 22, for example, eightfluid inlet hoses 354 are provided at spaced locations along the lengthof the parallel vertical walls 24 and 26. Each of the fluid inlet hoses354 may be coupled to a tee connector 355 and a fluid conduit mounted onor near the parallel vertical walls 24 and 26 and coupled to an airinlet supply line 63 and connector 52 from the compressor and air tanks,as described in previous implementations of the composting apparatus 20.

A second manifold 360 is also mounted on the upper frame assembly 324 ofeach rack 320 and coupled to the plurality of flexible air fluidinjection members, such as the hoses 342 in the upper sections in therack 320. One or more air inlet hoses or conduits 362 are coupled to thesecond manifold 360, respectively, and interconnected via the teeconnectors 355 to the air supply compressor/air tank.

Long length bays can be constructed with lengths of 200 or 300 feet formore to accommodate additional storage containers 300.

The separation of the hoses 340 and 342 in the lower and upper sectionsto separate first and second manifolds 350 and 360 provides energysavings. That is, in the case of less than a volume of waste material 32filling the entire storage container 300, for example if one storagecontainer 300 is only half full of waste material 32 disposed in thelower portion of the storage container 300, only the hoses 340 in thelower sections may be supplied with air. This eliminates the unnecessarysupply of pressurized air to the hoses 342 in the upper sections of anyrack 320 when the upper sections are devoid of waste material 32.

One or more of the total number of storage containers 300 in theenclosure 22 at one time may have less than a full volume of wastematerial 32. It is also possible that less than the maximum number ofstorage containers 300, eight in the present example, may be disposed inthe enclosure 22 at the same time for a single composting cycle. In eachsituation, at least some of the fluid inlet hoses 354 and 362 to thefirst and second manifolds 350 and 360 may be plugged or otherwiseclosed off and other fluid inlet hoses 354 and 362 coupled to otherstorage containers 300 containing a full complement of waste material 32may be opened.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the hoses 340 and 342 in each section ofeach rack 320 are arranged in a spiral wrap configuration by insertingthe hoses 340 and 342 through the apertures 328 in the vertically-spacedtubular members 322 in each rack 320 and looping them in a spiral likeconfiguration from one end connected to the respective first and secondmanifolds 350 and 360 through and along one horizontal aligned row ofvertically-spaced tubular members 322, and over to and back through aparallel row of vertically-spaced tubular members 322. Each hose 340 or342 may continue in the back and forth spiral pattern one or twoadditional times until the end portion of the hose 340 or 342 passesthrough a last vertically-spaced tubular member 322 and receives a plugor other closure device (or is connected to another air inlet asdescribed with regard to the first hose 60 of the first implementation).

To equalize air pressure in each of the hoses 340 in the lower sections330, 331, 332, and 334, the lengths of inlet ends of the hoses 340 aresubstantially the same length from the end connection to the firstmanifold 350 to the entry point into each lower section. The same equallength inlet end also applies to the hoses 342 in the upper sections335, 336, 337, and 338.

The apparatus of FIG. 16 is referred to as a partial top view becausethe waste material 32 is omitted for clarity. A storage container 400may be movably deployed within the enclosure 22 similarly to the movablestorage containers 300. In this example, the storage container 400 is 10feet in length and about 4 feet in height, but its dimensions can vary.Opposing ends of a first set generally L-or T-shaped cross-pieces 410,like those that form the upper frame assembly 324, are affixed (e.g., byspot welding) to opposite walls 402, 404 of the storage container 400.The set of cross-pieces 410, four in this example, are affixed to abottom edge of the storage container 400 in an inverted position suchthat the stem of the L- or T-shape extends upward and is later coveredby the waste material 32.

The stem of the L- or T-shape has a plurality of hose supporting holes412 extending therethrough. A hose 420 with a substantially constantdiameter in this example has its first end 422 coupled to a manifold 430receiving air from an air source (not shown in FIG. 16), and is arrangedin a serpentine pattern by inserting the hose 420 through the hosesupporting holes 412 until the opposing, second end 424 returns to andis connected to the manifold 430. In this way, the hose 420 as shownextends in parallel with the bottom of the storage container 400 andground. Here, the serpentine pattern results in a U-shape, but this isnot necessary. Moreover, the hose 420 may instead be in a spiral wrapconfiguration as previously described. The manifold is supported on anend 406 of the storage container 400. Connections to the first end 422and the second end 424 of the hose 420 to the manifold 430 are not shownin FIG. 16, but they may be similar to the two-part connectors 50 orconnections described with respect to the first and second manifolds350, 360 above. The hose 420 has a plurality of spaced holes for outletof the air as described previously.

If the height of the storage container 400, and hence the waste material32, does not exceed a certain height above ground (or in this case thebottom of the storage container 400), there may be no need foradditional sources of air to perform the decomposing. However, if neededor desirable, the storage container 400 may include another set ofgenerally L- or T-shaped cross-pieces affixed at height of, for example,4 feet. This second set of generally L- or T-shaped cross-pieces iseither aligned with the set of cross-pieces 410 or offset from the setof cross-pieces 410 in the horizontal direction between the ends 406.They are omitted from FIG. 16 for clarity, but they may be identical instructure to the cross-pieces 410 and may be affixed with their stem,and hence their hose supporting holes 412, either facing toward or awayfrom the first set of cross-pieces 410. In either event, the hosesupporting holes 412 of the second set of cross-pieces are offset fromthe hose supporting holes 412 of the first set of cross-pieces 410 sothat a second hose 440, also having a plurality of air outlet holes likethe hose 420, is arranged in a similar pattern to the hose 420, but isoffset in the horizontal direction between the walls 402, 404 of thestorage container 400 as shown in FIG. 16. Alternatively, but lessdesirably, the holes 412 and hoses 420, 440 may be substantially orcompletely aligned. In still another variation, the hoses 420, 440 maybe arranged in different shapes, such as one in a serpentine shape andone in a spiral wrap configuration, each arranged substantially within ahorizontal plane parallel to the ground.

A first end 442 of the hose 440 and a second end 444 of the hose 440 arepneumatically coupled to a second manifold 450 in a like manner as theends 442, 424 of the hose 420 are coupled to the manifold 430. Thesecond manifold 450 is supported manifold is supported on the end 408 ofthe storage container 400, but it could alternatively be support of theend 406 of the storage container 400. The manifolds 430, 450 are notshown in detail in FIG. 16, but any of the air sources of FIG. 2, 4, 6,8, 10, or 14 may be used.

The above-described aspects of the composting apparatus provide aninexpensive and economical alternative to other techniques forcomposting, at least in part because it is a no-turn compostingapparatus that implements a no-turn composting method. That is, thewaste material 32 is decomposed into compost without requiring turningof the waste material. At the same time, the composting operation isodorless since air is continually pumped into the waste material,preventing an anaerobic condition or a lack of oxygen state to occurwithin the waste material that leads to the generation of methane gasand thereby odor from the composting apparatus.

After the waste material 32 has been in the enclosure 22 and suppliedwith oxygen for defined amount of time, the air pressure within a firsthose, such as the first hose 60, is lowered to a minimal pressure level,such as 5 psi for subsequent period of time, such as two to three weeks.Alternatively, the waste material 32, which is in an uncured compoststate, can be removed from the enclosure 22 and placed in a pile outsideof the enclosure 22 for a longer period of time, such as 90 days ormore. The waste material 32 in its uncured, composted state can also beleft in the enclosure 22 for two to three weeks to complete curing.

At the end of the cure period, the waste material 32 has been reduced tocompost or humus, which can be used as fertilizer.

While the invention has been described in connection with certainimplementations or embodiments, it is to be understood that theinvention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on thecontrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalentarrangements included within the scope of the appended claims, whichscope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompassall such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted underthe law.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aerobic composting apparatus for compostingwaste material, comprising: an enclosure for containing waste material;and a fluid distribution system including a fluid injection memberremovably disposable within waste material disposed in the enclosure,the fluid injection member including a plurality of spaced apertures forinjecting fluid into the waste material.
 2. The aerobic compostingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid injection member is a flexiblehose.
 3. The aerobic composting apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising: the fluid injection member disposed above a first layer ofwaste material deposited in the enclosure and covered by a second layerof waste material deposited in the enclosure.
 4. The aerobic compostingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid injection member is disposedfrom end to end in the enclosure in a plurality of spiral loopsextending between opposed walls of the enclosure.
 5. The aerobiccomposting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: the fluid injectionmember disposed at a bottom of the enclosure and covered by a layer ofwaste material deposited in the enclosure.
 6. The aerobic compostingapparatus of claim 5, wherein the fluid injection member is disposedfrom end to end in the enclosure in a serpentine pattern extendingbetween opposed walls of the enclosure and is lying substantially withina horizontal plane relative to a ground surface.
 7. The aerobiccomposting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid injection member isformed of a plurality of fluidically-coupled segments, the segmentsdecreasing in diameter from an inlet end of the fluid injection member.8. The aerobic composting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: afluid reservoir that supplies pressurized fluid to the fluid injectionmember; and a compressor that supplies pressurized air to the fluidreservoir.
 9. The aerobic composting apparatus of claim 8, wherein thecompressor comprises a wind powered compressor.
 10. The aerobiccomposting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a cover over a topof the enclosure; and the cover leaving ends of the enclosure open. 11.The aerobic composting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: aplurality of enclosures that receive waste material; and the fluidinjection member disposed in each of the plurality of enclosures. 12.The aerobic composting apparatus of claim 11, further comprising: thefluid injection member in at least one enclosure including at least twofluid injection members.
 13. The aerobic composting apparatus of claim1, further comprising: a set of support members extending betweenopposed walls of the enclosure and spaced apart between ends of theenclosure, each support member located at a bottom of the enclosure andhaving a vertically extending portion with apertures through which thefluid injection member is threaded.
 14. The aerobic composting apparatusof claim 1, further comprising: a first fluid injection member includinga second fluid injection member disposed in the enclosure above thefirst fluid injection member; the second fluid injection member disposedon top of a second layer of waste material disposed over the first fluidinjection member; and a third layer of waste material disposed on top ofthe second fluid injection member.
 15. A method of composting wastematerial, comprising: positioning waste material in an enclosure formedof longitudinally extending spaced walls; and introducing at a fluidinjection member between ends of the spaced walls of the enclosurewithin the waste material so that the fluid injection member extends ina substantially horizontal plane and is covered by a layer of wastematerial in the enclosure.
 16. The method of claim 15, furthercomprising: disposing the fluid injection member in the enclosure inlongitudinally extending spiral loops extending between walls of theenclosure.
 17. The method of claim 16, comprising: disposing adjacentportions of the longitudinally extending spiral loops of the fluidinjection member in a laterally-spaced-apart arrangement along theenclosure.
 18. The method of claim 15, further comprising: disposing thefluid injection member in the enclosure in a serpentine pattern, ends ofthe fluid injection member coupled to a common source of air.
 19. Anaerobic composting apparatus for composting waste material arranged in avertically and horizontally extending mass, the aerobic compostingapparatus comprising: a fluid distribution system including a fluidinjection member removably disposable within the waste material, thefluid injection member including a number of spaced apertures forinjecting pressurized fluid from a source of pressurized fluid into thewaste material; and the fluid injection member disposed within thevertically and horizontally extending mass of waste material in one ofspiral loops, adjacent portions of the spiral loops being laterallyspaced apart or a serpentine pattern lying substantially within ahorizontal plane relative to a ground surface.
 20. The aerobiccomposting apparatus of claim 19, further comprising at least one of:the vertically and horizontally extending mass of waste material in alongitudinally extending windrow; or vertically and horizontallyextending mass of waste material in a static pile of waste material.